Starting team 2021

[hobbo1]

The best thing about trying to pick a starting 17 for this year is the depth. There will be some decent players playing Canterbury Cup. For what its worth here is my Round 1 team.
1. Momorovski
2. Nofo
3 BJ
4 The Jet
5. Kepoa
6. MBye
7. Brooks
8. Ofehengaui
9. Liddle
10. Tamou
11. Blore
12. Lucy Leiluia
13. Twal
14. Musgrove
15. Talau
16. Garner
17. Stefano

What happened to my numbers? Mbye 6, Brooks 7 etc etc

No full stop after 3 & 4
Team sucks anyway ?

Ofahegaue at 6 could work...

I was more concerned with Momirovski at fullback .
Corey Parker said he runs on a treadmill ..or was that Doueihi ?
?
Hurry up round 1 !!!

 

[The-moP]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. Laurie
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Moses / Simpkin

 

[jrtiger]

think we'll see Laurie start at 6 in round 1 but will probably move to a utility role off the bench after that. don't see him unseating M'Bye anytime soon who's had the whole preseason there and by all reports is flying.

 

[BAGNF05]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. Laurie
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Moses / Simpkin

Pretty darn close, I think Offa is a prop, Mikaele needs to play better, we still need to sign one more forward and maybe Laurie starts in reggies.

 

[nrlsurvivor]

Updated depth chart following Laurie/Momo trade:

Moses Mbye > Daine Laurie > [Tyrone Roberts-Davis] > [Edene Gebbie]
Asu Kepaoa > (Reece Hoffman)
James Roberts > (William Kei)
Joey Leilua > Tommy Talau
David Nofoaluma > Zac Cini > [Allan Fitzgibbon]
Adam Doueihi > Billy Walters > {Michael Tannous}
Luke Brooks > Jock Madden
Joe Ofahengaue > Alex Seyfarth
Luciano Leilua > Michael Chee-Kam > Tukimihia Simpkins > {Brandon Tumeth}
Shawn Blore > Luke Garner > (Kelma Tuilagi) > {Henry O’Kane}
James Tamou > Alex Twal > Russell Packer > [Ky Rodwell]
Jacob Liddle > Jake Simpkin > [Zach Docker-Clay]
Zane Musgrove > Thomas Mikaele > Stefano Utoikamanu

( ) = development squad player
{} = lower grader who trained with NRL squad in preseason
[] = train-and trial player

 

[Geo]

Gebbie...?

 

[The-moP]

From what has been said young Michael Tannous could be out for a while with an ACL tear .. :astonished:

But looking at that depth chart above .. we certainly have a fair better team than the past few seasons .. experience and youth and ability all over the park .. !!

 

[Roar_Power]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. Laurie
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Moses / Simpkin

Exactly my side. Think AJ Kepaoa could displace Talau on the wing. Moses definitely in the 17.

 

[TYGA]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. Laurie
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Moses / Simpkin

Agree that’s our best team by far but I’d have Simpkin over Mbye just for the sake of getting experience. He needs game time.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-tigers-best-17-luke-brooks-james-roberts-joey-leilua-jacob-liddle-tommy-talau-billy-walters-teams/news-story/92d88330cf7e540e036f9fb459a0c895

**It’s now or never for Luke Brooks as Michael Maguire unleashes Fab Five: Tigers best 17**

Mark St John - February 3, 2021 7:17am

Source: FOX SPORTS


The Tigers have a new look spine in 2021 with Luke Brooks now the driver of the ship and it is up to him to unleash a dangerous outside back contingent. For so long the knock on Brooks is that he constantly deferred to club greats Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, but with both no longer at the club it is the No.7s time to make the team his own.

Brooks was the 2019 Dally M Halfback of the Year, but his form fell away dramatically last year to the point he was dropped to the bench.


**Round 1**

Part of Michael Maguire’s tough call to let club legend Marshall leave was to give Brooks a long-awaited chance to drive the teams’ attack.

The club have also lost hooker Harry Grant, who returned to the Storm and five-eighth Josh Reynolds has moved to the Super League.

That means that Brooks will form a new halves partnership with makeshift No.6 Adam Doueihi, which gives the halfback even more responsibility to lead the teams’ direction.


The club has had one of the biggest turnover of players in the competition, with 11 players moving on and six players joining, while four players had their contracts upgraded.

Apart from Grant other notable losses were Josh Aloiai to Manly, Sam McIntyre to the Titans, Matt Eisenhuth and Robert Jennings to the Panthers and Chris Lawrence to retirement.

However the Tigers made some shrewd recruitment moves in picking up James Roberts from the Rabbitohs, James Tamou from the Panthers, Joe Ofahengaue from the Broncos and rookie Stefano Utoikamanu from the Eels.

Tamou and Ofahengaue in particular provide much needed starch to the Tigers’ pack, which has been accused of going missing at times in recent seasons.

Roberts provides priceless speed and attacking strike, while Utoikamanu has the potential to be a game-breaker off the bench as he matures.

On paper the Tigers are probably a star fullback and a seasoned five-eighth and hooker away from consistently matching the top sides in the push for a premiership.

However they will be exciting to watch and if they can stay on the park and build combinations this just might be the year the longest finals drought in the NRL, stretching back to 2011 comes to an end.

**THE STRENGTH**

Back five. The Tigers have a potentially devastating back five as long as their halves and hooker can get them plenty of good, clean and early ball.

Free of the captaincy, Moses Mbye returns to fullback in 2021 after an up and down stint in the centres for the Tigers over the last two seasons.

David Nofoaluma is coming off a season where he scored 17 tries in 20 games, while 20-year-old Tommy is set for a bright future.

In Joey Leilua and star recruit James Roberts the Tigers have potentially one of the best centre pairings in the NRL, but there is a big caveat.

Leilua needs to cut the dirty play out of his game and focus on running hard and tackling even harder, while Roberts will be hoping for a better run with injuries at his new club.

Provided their forward pack and halves can do their jobs this back five should score plenty of tries in 2021.

**THE PRESSURE IS ON**

Luke Brooks. The 26-year-old has been given the keys to the team after the departures of club greats Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall in consecutive seasons and it is his time to show what he can do as a chief playmaker.

Harry Grant’s return to the Storm means that much of the Tigers’ attack will come down to Brooks’ ability to create try-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Adding to the pressure will be the fact Brooks will be partnered by a rookie five-eighth in Adam Doueihi at the scrumbase and their combination will take time to develop.

Brooks has now scored 39 tries in 148 games for the Tigers and is at the age where playmaker’s come into their own.

However Brooks can no longer defer to Marshall and needs to be assertive and take the game by the scruff of the neck in order set his speedsters out wide free and create opportunities for himself as well.

**THE RISING STAR**

Tommy Talau. The 20-year-old son of Bulldogs great Willie Talau scored eight tries in just 12 games last year after debuting in 2019.

Talau is a lot bigger than his old man and has the potential to be an excellent centre down the track.

For now he is caught behind Joey Leilua and James Roberts in the pecking order, but it could be a blessing in disguise playing on the end of this backline.

Talau will learn plenty from his centres and no doubt add to his impressive try-scoring tally in 2021, which can only help his development as a centre down the line.

**THE UNLUCKY ONES**

Paul Momirovski and Billy Walters. If everyone is fit and firing it is hard to see Walters and Momirovski getting a spot in the 17.

After his swap deal with the Storm’s Harry Grant, Momirovski has been agitating for a release to join the Panthers or the Bulldogs after being told he will not be a starter at the Tigers.

Given the Tigers’ strong centre pairing and wingers it is understandable that Momirovski will find it difficult to break into the starting backline.

Walters is bidding to return from a knee injury and Jacob Liddle looks set to be handed first crack at the hooker role, while Doueihi will block his claims to the No.6 jersey.

Depending on how much game time Liddle can manage after a series of long-term injuries, Walters could be used as a utility off the bench, but he will have to make up for lost time when he returns and hope a spot opens up.

**IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR**

James Roberts. The 27-year-old is coming off a tough 2020 campaign that saw him spend time in a rehabilitation clinic to deal with anxiety and depression.

Roberts scored just one try in six games for the Rabbitohs before he mutually parted ways with the club one year before his contract expired.

If Roberts can overcome the off-field issues and stay injury-free he is every chance to return to the form that saw him represent the Blues in 2018.


The veteran journeymen centre has scored 74 tries in 149 games in the NRL for the Rabbitohs, Panthers, Titans and Broncos and at full fitness he is one of the fastest players in the competition.

Roberts has the potential to form a devastating centre combination with Joey Leilua and by all reports is in a strong frame of mind to repay the faith the Tigers have shown in him.

If he can maintain fitness of mind and body then the sky is the limit for Roberts in 2021.

**TIGERS BEST 17**

1 Moses Mbye

2 David Nofoaluma

3 Joey Leilua

4 James Roberts

5 Tommy Talau

6 Adam Doueihi

7 Luke Brooks

8 Joe Ofahengaue

9 Jacob Liddle

10 James Tamou

11 Luke Garner

12 Luciano Leilua

13 Alex Twal

14 Michael Chee-Kam

15 Shawn Blore

16 Thomas Mikaele

17 Stefano Utoikamanu

**2021 squad**: Shawn Blore, Kane Bradley, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Zac Cini, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner, Asu Kepaoa, Joey Leilua, Luciano Leilua, Jacob Liddle, Jock Madden, Moses Mbye, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, Zane Musgrove, David Nofoaluma, Joe Ofahengaue, Russell Packer, James Roberts, Jake Simpkin, Tommy Talau, James Tamou, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu, Billy Walters

2021 gains: James Roberts (Rabbitohs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Paul Momirovski (loan return from Storm), James Tamou (Panthers), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos), Tuki Simpkins (Cowboys). Jock Madden, Kane Bradley, Jake Simpkin, Zac Cini (all upgraded)

2021 losses: Harry Grant (loan return to Storm), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Chris Lawrence (retirement), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings (both Panthers), Benji Marshall (Rabbitohs), Josh Reynolds (Hull), Oliver Clark, Elijah Taylor, Dylan Smith (all unsigned)

Why do these guys keep putting Chee-Kam in the 17?

Shame about CheKam,build,speed,step,has everything it takes,.If he only took that next step he could be anything.

Could be this year with the quality of player around him improving he could be anything

 

[TigerWest]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. ~~Laurie~~ Mbye
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. ~~Moses / Simpkin~~Packer

I don’t think Laurie will play for a while, unless Mbye drops his bundle, which I don’t think he will.

Going with 4 forwards on bench, Liddle will hopefully be OK.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. ~~Laurie~~ Mbye
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. ~~Moses / Simpkin~~Packer

Packer ???? A good one, but 1st of Apr is a few months away!:sweat_smile:

so from the 2nd round:

1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Twal
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Musgrove
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Simpkins

4 forwards on the bench, IMHO, Musgrave/Mikaele/Utoikamanu/Simpkins are impact players, more effective later in the game

 

[tigerbalm]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. ~~Laurie~~ Mbye
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. ~~Moses / Simpkin~~Packer


Packer ???? A good one, but 1st of Apr is a few months away!:sweat_smile:

so from the 2nd round:

1. Laurie
2. Nofoaluma
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Twal
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Musgrove
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Simpkins

4 forwards on the bench, IMHO, Musgrave/Mikaele/Utoikamanu/Simpkins are impact players, more effective later in the game

Hard not to get a little, just a little excited about the possibilities.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. Laurie
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Moses / Simpkin

Agree that’s our best team by far but I’d have Simpkin over Mbye just for the sake of getting experience. He needs game time.

I’m going to wait until round 1. Or if the trial is televised to make a judgement on Mbye. The dudes got talent , and there’s no way Laurie supplants him, unless Mbye does smelly pop in the bed during the trials .
I think that’s the most logical answer , no matter how you feel.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

think we'll see Laurie start at 6 in round 1 but will probably move to a utility role off the bench after that. don't see him unseating M'Bye anytime soon who's had the whole preseason there and by all reports is flying.

I think it will be madden mate . Mbye at the back and Simpkins/ Liddle combo

 

[Roar_Power]

Ok now that we have Laurie .. pick your team as per round 2:

1. Laurie
2. Nofa
3. Roberts
4. Leilua
5. Talau
6. Doueihi
7. Brooks
8. Tamou
9. Liddle
10. Musgrove
11. Leilua
12. Blore
13. Ofahenguae
14. Twal
15. Utoikamanu
16. Mikaele
17. Moses / Simpkin

Agree that’s our best team by far but I’d have Simpkin over Mbye just for the sake of getting experience. He needs game time.

I’m going to wait until round 1. Or if the trial is televised to make a judgement on Mbye. The dudes got talent , and there’s no way Laurie supplants him, unless Mbye does smelly pop in the bed during the trials .
I think that’s the most logical answer , no matter how you feel.

Smelly pop in the bed is a helluva way to explain it lol

 

[hank37w]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-tigers-best-17-luke-brooks-james-roberts-joey-leilua-jacob-liddle-tommy-talau-billy-walters-teams/news-story/92d88330cf7e540e036f9fb459a0c895

**It’s now or never for Luke Brooks as Michael Maguire unleashes Fab Five: Tigers best 17**

Mark St John - February 3, 2021 7:17am

Source: FOX SPORTS


The Tigers have a new look spine in 2021 with Luke Brooks now the driver of the ship and it is up to him to unleash a dangerous outside back contingent. For so long the knock on Brooks is that he constantly deferred to club greats Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, but with both no longer at the club it is the No.7s time to make the team his own.

Brooks was the 2019 Dally M Halfback of the Year, but his form fell away dramatically last year to the point he was dropped to the bench.


**Round 1**

Part of Michael Maguire’s tough call to let club legend Marshall leave was to give Brooks a long-awaited chance to drive the teams’ attack.

The club have also lost hooker Harry Grant, who returned to the Storm and five-eighth Josh Reynolds has moved to the Super League.

That means that Brooks will form a new halves partnership with makeshift No.6 Adam Doueihi, which gives the halfback even more responsibility to lead the teams’ direction.


The club has had one of the biggest turnover of players in the competition, with 11 players moving on and six players joining, while four players had their contracts upgraded.

Apart from Grant other notable losses were Josh Aloiai to Manly, Sam McIntyre to the Titans, Matt Eisenhuth and Robert Jennings to the Panthers and Chris Lawrence to retirement.

However the Tigers made some shrewd recruitment moves in picking up James Roberts from the Rabbitohs, James Tamou from the Panthers, Joe Ofahengaue from the Broncos and rookie Stefano Utoikamanu from the Eels.

Tamou and Ofahengaue in particular provide much needed starch to the Tigers’ pack, which has been accused of going missing at times in recent seasons.

Roberts provides priceless speed and attacking strike, while Utoikamanu has the potential to be a game-breaker off the bench as he matures.

On paper the Tigers are probably a star fullback and a seasoned five-eighth and hooker away from consistently matching the top sides in the push for a premiership.

However they will be exciting to watch and if they can stay on the park and build combinations this just might be the year the longest finals drought in the NRL, stretching back to 2011 comes to an end.

**THE STRENGTH**

Back five. The Tigers have a potentially devastating back five as long as their halves and hooker can get them plenty of good, clean and early ball.

Free of the captaincy, Moses Mbye returns to fullback in 2021 after an up and down stint in the centres for the Tigers over the last two seasons.

David Nofoaluma is coming off a season where he scored 17 tries in 20 games, while 20-year-old Tommy is set for a bright future.

In Joey Leilua and star recruit James Roberts the Tigers have potentially one of the best centre pairings in the NRL, but there is a big caveat.

Leilua needs to cut the dirty play out of his game and focus on running hard and tackling even harder, while Roberts will be hoping for a better run with injuries at his new club.

Provided their forward pack and halves can do their jobs this back five should score plenty of tries in 2021.

**THE PRESSURE IS ON**

Luke Brooks. The 26-year-old has been given the keys to the team after the departures of club greats Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall in consecutive seasons and it is his time to show what he can do as a chief playmaker.

Harry Grant’s return to the Storm means that much of the Tigers’ attack will come down to Brooks’ ability to create try-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Adding to the pressure will be the fact Brooks will be partnered by a rookie five-eighth in Adam Doueihi at the scrumbase and their combination will take time to develop.

Brooks has now scored 39 tries in 148 games for the Tigers and is at the age where playmaker’s come into their own.

However Brooks can no longer defer to Marshall and needs to be assertive and take the game by the scruff of the neck in order set his speedsters out wide free and create opportunities for himself as well.

**THE RISING STAR**

Tommy Talau. The 20-year-old son of Bulldogs great Willie Talau scored eight tries in just 12 games last year after debuting in 2019.

Talau is a lot bigger than his old man and has the potential to be an excellent centre down the track.

For now he is caught behind Joey Leilua and James Roberts in the pecking order, but it could be a blessing in disguise playing on the end of this backline.

Talau will learn plenty from his centres and no doubt add to his impressive try-scoring tally in 2021, which can only help his development as a centre down the line.

**THE UNLUCKY ONES**

Paul Momirovski and Billy Walters. If everyone is fit and firing it is hard to see Walters and Momirovski getting a spot in the 17.

After his swap deal with the Storm’s Harry Grant, Momirovski has been agitating for a release to join the Panthers or the Bulldogs after being told he will not be a starter at the Tigers.

Given the Tigers’ strong centre pairing and wingers it is understandable that Momirovski will find it difficult to break into the starting backline.

Walters is bidding to return from a knee injury and Jacob Liddle looks set to be handed first crack at the hooker role, while Doueihi will block his claims to the No.6 jersey.

Depending on how much game time Liddle can manage after a series of long-term injuries, Walters could be used as a utility off the bench, but he will have to make up for lost time when he returns and hope a spot opens up.

**IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR**

James Roberts. The 27-year-old is coming off a tough 2020 campaign that saw him spend time in a rehabilitation clinic to deal with anxiety and depression.

Roberts scored just one try in six games for the Rabbitohs before he mutually parted ways with the club one year before his contract expired.

If Roberts can overcome the off-field issues and stay injury-free he is every chance to return to the form that saw him represent the Blues in 2018.


The veteran journeymen centre has scored 74 tries in 149 games in the NRL for the Rabbitohs, Panthers, Titans and Broncos and at full fitness he is one of the fastest players in the competition.

Roberts has the potential to form a devastating centre combination with Joey Leilua and by all reports is in a strong frame of mind to repay the faith the Tigers have shown in him.

If he can maintain fitness of mind and body then the sky is the limit for Roberts in 2021.

**TIGERS BEST 17**

1 Moses Mbye

2 David Nofoaluma

3 Joey Leilua

4 James Roberts

5 Tommy Talau

6 Adam Doueihi

7 Luke Brooks

8 Joe Ofahengaue

9 Jacob Liddle

10 James Tamou

11 Luke Garner

12 Luciano Leilua

13 Alex Twal

14 Michael Chee-Kam

15 Shawn Blore

16 Thomas Mikaele

17 Stefano Utoikamanu

**2021 squad**: Shawn Blore, Kane Bradley, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Zac Cini, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner, Asu Kepaoa, Joey Leilua, Luciano Leilua, Jacob Liddle, Jock Madden, Moses Mbye, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, Zane Musgrove, David Nofoaluma, Joe Ofahengaue, Russell Packer, James Roberts, Jake Simpkin, Tommy Talau, James Tamou, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu, Billy Walters

2021 gains: James Roberts (Rabbitohs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Paul Momirovski (loan return from Storm), James Tamou (Panthers), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos), Tuki Simpkins (Cowboys). Jock Madden, Kane Bradley, Jake Simpkin, Zac Cini (all upgraded)

2021 losses: Harry Grant (loan return to Storm), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Chris Lawrence (retirement), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings (both Panthers), Benji Marshall (Rabbitohs), Josh Reynolds (Hull), Oliver Clark, Elijah Taylor, Dylan Smith (all unsigned)

Why do these guys keep putting Chee-Kam in the 17?

Shame about CheKam,build,speed,step,has everything it takes,.If he only took that next step he could be anything.

Whatever ever happened to The Chee-Kam Beast fan club?

Where is tacky when you need him, it was him that ran that fan club wasn't it?

Michael Chee-Kam has been a favourite of mine in the past and have to say he certainly has a good head for football.

Can recall a couple of Falcons at crucial times in the past.

Most memorable one was the Falcon that led to the game winning Cory Thompson try with a minute and a half to go against the Rorters in Round 1 2018 at ANZ.

From memory I think the Badge was officiating that day as well.

 

[TigerWest]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-tigers-best-17-luke-brooks-james-roberts-joey-leilua-jacob-liddle-tommy-talau-billy-walters-teams/news-story/92d88330cf7e540e036f9fb459a0c895

**It’s now or never for Luke Brooks as Michael Maguire unleashes Fab Five: Tigers best 17**

Mark St John - February 3, 2021 7:17am

Source: FOX SPORTS


The Tigers have a new look spine in 2021 with Luke Brooks now the driver of the ship and it is up to him to unleash a dangerous outside back contingent. For so long the knock on Brooks is that he constantly deferred to club greats Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, but with both no longer at the club it is the No.7s time to make the team his own.

Brooks was the 2019 Dally M Halfback of the Year, but his form fell away dramatically last year to the point he was dropped to the bench.


**Round 1**

Part of Michael Maguire’s tough call to let club legend Marshall leave was to give Brooks a long-awaited chance to drive the teams’ attack.

The club have also lost hooker Harry Grant, who returned to the Storm and five-eighth Josh Reynolds has moved to the Super League.

That means that Brooks will form a new halves partnership with makeshift No.6 Adam Doueihi, which gives the halfback even more responsibility to lead the teams’ direction.


The club has had one of the biggest turnover of players in the competition, with 11 players moving on and six players joining, while four players had their contracts upgraded.

Apart from Grant other notable losses were Josh Aloiai to Manly, Sam McIntyre to the Titans, Matt Eisenhuth and Robert Jennings to the Panthers and Chris Lawrence to retirement.

However the Tigers made some shrewd recruitment moves in picking up James Roberts from the Rabbitohs, James Tamou from the Panthers, Joe Ofahengaue from the Broncos and rookie Stefano Utoikamanu from the Eels.

Tamou and Ofahengaue in particular provide much needed starch to the Tigers’ pack, which has been accused of going missing at times in recent seasons.

Roberts provides priceless speed and attacking strike, while Utoikamanu has the potential to be a game-breaker off the bench as he matures.

On paper the Tigers are probably a star fullback and a seasoned five-eighth and hooker away from consistently matching the top sides in the push for a premiership.

However they will be exciting to watch and if they can stay on the park and build combinations this just might be the year the longest finals drought in the NRL, stretching back to 2011 comes to an end.

**THE STRENGTH**

Back five. The Tigers have a potentially devastating back five as long as their halves and hooker can get them plenty of good, clean and early ball.

Free of the captaincy, Moses Mbye returns to fullback in 2021 after an up and down stint in the centres for the Tigers over the last two seasons.

David Nofoaluma is coming off a season where he scored 17 tries in 20 games, while 20-year-old Tommy is set for a bright future.

In Joey Leilua and star recruit James Roberts the Tigers have potentially one of the best centre pairings in the NRL, but there is a big caveat.

Leilua needs to cut the dirty play out of his game and focus on running hard and tackling even harder, while Roberts will be hoping for a better run with injuries at his new club.

Provided their forward pack and halves can do their jobs this back five should score plenty of tries in 2021.

**THE PRESSURE IS ON**

Luke Brooks. The 26-year-old has been given the keys to the team after the departures of club greats Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall in consecutive seasons and it is his time to show what he can do as a chief playmaker.

Harry Grant’s return to the Storm means that much of the Tigers’ attack will come down to Brooks’ ability to create try-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Adding to the pressure will be the fact Brooks will be partnered by a rookie five-eighth in Adam Doueihi at the scrumbase and their combination will take time to develop.

Brooks has now scored 39 tries in 148 games for the Tigers and is at the age where playmaker’s come into their own.

However Brooks can no longer defer to Marshall and needs to be assertive and take the game by the scruff of the neck in order set his speedsters out wide free and create opportunities for himself as well.

**THE RISING STAR**

Tommy Talau. The 20-year-old son of Bulldogs great Willie Talau scored eight tries in just 12 games last year after debuting in 2019.

Talau is a lot bigger than his old man and has the potential to be an excellent centre down the track.

For now he is caught behind Joey Leilua and James Roberts in the pecking order, but it could be a blessing in disguise playing on the end of this backline.

Talau will learn plenty from his centres and no doubt add to his impressive try-scoring tally in 2021, which can only help his development as a centre down the line.

**THE UNLUCKY ONES**

Paul Momirovski and Billy Walters. If everyone is fit and firing it is hard to see Walters and Momirovski getting a spot in the 17.

After his swap deal with the Storm’s Harry Grant, Momirovski has been agitating for a release to join the Panthers or the Bulldogs after being told he will not be a starter at the Tigers.

Given the Tigers’ strong centre pairing and wingers it is understandable that Momirovski will find it difficult to break into the starting backline.

Walters is bidding to return from a knee injury and Jacob Liddle looks set to be handed first crack at the hooker role, while Doueihi will block his claims to the No.6 jersey.

Depending on how much game time Liddle can manage after a series of long-term injuries, Walters could be used as a utility off the bench, but he will have to make up for lost time when he returns and hope a spot opens up.

**IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR**

James Roberts. The 27-year-old is coming off a tough 2020 campaign that saw him spend time in a rehabilitation clinic to deal with anxiety and depression.

Roberts scored just one try in six games for the Rabbitohs before he mutually parted ways with the club one year before his contract expired.

If Roberts can overcome the off-field issues and stay injury-free he is every chance to return to the form that saw him represent the Blues in 2018.


The veteran journeymen centre has scored 74 tries in 149 games in the NRL for the Rabbitohs, Panthers, Titans and Broncos and at full fitness he is one of the fastest players in the competition.

Roberts has the potential to form a devastating centre combination with Joey Leilua and by all reports is in a strong frame of mind to repay the faith the Tigers have shown in him.

If he can maintain fitness of mind and body then the sky is the limit for Roberts in 2021.

**TIGERS BEST 17**

1 Moses Mbye

2 David Nofoaluma

3 Joey Leilua

4 James Roberts

5 Tommy Talau

6 Adam Doueihi

7 Luke Brooks

8 Joe Ofahengaue

9 Jacob Liddle

10 James Tamou

11 Luke Garner

12 Luciano Leilua

13 Alex Twal

14 Michael Chee-Kam

15 Shawn Blore

16 Thomas Mikaele

17 Stefano Utoikamanu

**2021 squad**: Shawn Blore, Kane Bradley, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee-Kam, Zac Cini, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner, Asu Kepaoa, Joey Leilua, Luciano Leilua, Jacob Liddle, Jock Madden, Moses Mbye, Thomas Mikaele, Paul Momirovski, Zane Musgrove, David Nofoaluma, Joe Ofahengaue, Russell Packer, James Roberts, Jake Simpkin, Tommy Talau, James Tamou, Alex Twal, Stefano Utoikamanu, Billy Walters

2021 gains: James Roberts (Rabbitohs), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Paul Momirovski (loan return from Storm), James Tamou (Panthers), Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos), Tuki Simpkins (Cowboys). Jock Madden, Kane Bradley, Jake Simpkin, Zac Cini (all upgraded)

2021 losses: Harry Grant (loan return to Storm), Josh Aloiai (Sea Eagles), Chris Lawrence (retirement), Sam McIntyre (Titans), Matt Eisenhuth, Robert Jennings (both Panthers), Benji Marshall (Rabbitohs), Josh Reynolds (Hull), Oliver Clark, Elijah Taylor, Dylan Smith (all unsigned)

Why do these guys keep putting Chee-Kam in the 17?

Shame about CheKam,build,speed,step,has everything it takes,.If he only took that next step he could be anything.

Whatever ever happened to The Chee-Kam Beast fan club?

Where is tacky when you need him, it was him that ran that fan club wasn't it?

Michael Chee-Kam has been a favourite of mine in the past and have to say he certainly has a good head for football.

Can recall a couple of Falcons at crucial times in the past.

Most memorable one was the Falcon that led to the game winning Cory Thompson try with a minute and a half to go against the Rorters in Round 1 2018 at ANZ.

From memory I think the Badge was officiating that day as well.

He is a beast, looking forward to see if he can put it on the field?
 https://forums.leagueunlimited.com/attachments/upload_2021-2-2_14-0-38-png.45629/

 

[frullens]

Re: Mybe v Laurie

We need to be a club where players earn their NRL spot.

There's only upside in making Laurie play reggies until his awesome form and Mybe dip in form dictate a position change.

Playing Laurie from first game, only kills Mybes confidence and if Laurie is underdone kills his confidence also

 

[hammertime]

Re: Mybe v Laurie

We need to be a club where players earn their NRL spot.

There's only upside in making Laurie play reggies until his awesome form and Mybe dip in form dictate a position change.

Playing Laurie from first game, only kills Mybes confidence and if Laurie is underdone kills his confidence also

Well said. We do know Mbye can potentially play really well in FB. He's by no means a dud and he gets an underserved amount of hate on here - just because of his salary.

Laurie does not deserve to walk into that FB roll.